Calls have been made for the city council and gardaí to run awareness campaign about the rising number incidences of dogs being stolen.
Councillor Alan Cheevers said that people need to know how to protect their dogs, as the number of thefts and attempted thefts of pets has risen dramatically during the pandemic.
“Dogs are like a member of our families, for some they are also the only companionship many people have had over the pandemic,” Alan Cheevers said.
“I do believe it’s important people are aware of how best to protect their dogs from criminals,” The Fianna Fáil councillor added, saying this was not “scaremongering” or creating fear, but about making dog owners aware the issue.
“One dog stolen is one dog too many. There should be an online campaign and also a leaflet produced that will be handed out by [the] council, Gardaí, and by our districts pounds.”
Alan Cheevers also said dogs have great importance as family pets, and have particularly important as companions for older people and families with young kids during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Some of the important points this campaign should highlight is the fact that the price of dogs has risen significantly in recent years, making them a more attractive target for criminals.
